WHEN Angel Reese and her cousin Jordan Hawkins were growing up in Maryland, they were both serious about basketball. When their family got together for summer cookouts, they did it in style: loads of relatives. (When asked how many, Jordan says, "A lot." When pressed for more detail, he says, "A lot.") Tons of hot dogs and hamburgers. And basketball games.
Back then, Angel could beat Jordan. "She was bigger," says Jordan. "I was a pretty scrawny kid. She used to beat me, but not anymore."
It says something about Angel's game that it now takes a potential NBA lottery pick to beat her. She has become one of the best players in women's basketball. In the spring she led LSU to the national championship, capping off the Tigers' run with a 15-point, 10-rebound performance in the title game against Iowa on April 2.
The next night, she watched as Jordan won a championship of his own, as he scored 16 points in Connecticut's win over San Diego State. "It was hard to root for UConn," says Angel, referring to the school's traditionally strong women's basketball program. "I made an exception, though." A few days later, Jordan announced he would enter the NBA draft, where he is expected to be a first-round pick.
Basketball has always been a part of the cousins' lives. "Everybody plays basketball in the family," says Angel. "It's fun when you go to a cookout and everybody's on the court playing and it's competitive."
Angel's older brother, Mikael Hopkins, plays professionally overseas, while her younger brother, Julian Reese, plays at Maryland. Angel's mom, who is also named Angel, played in college at Maryland-Baltimore County. "She was a big rebounder," says the younger Angel. "She taught me and my brother Julian how to play."
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May - June 2023 من Sports Illustrated Kids.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May - June 2023 من Sports Illustrated Kids.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Sister Act
Meet Brooke, Tai, and Rainn Sheppard, three athletes from Brooklyn who are excelling in their sport, spreading optimism, and thriving off the track.
How to Win at the Slots
When offenses started moving receivers inside to exploit matchups, defenses countered by inventing a part-time linebacker-safety-corner hybrid. In today’s NFL, that’s one of the most important (and challenging) spots on the field.
Do Teams Fire Coaches Too Quickly?
ON JANUARY 6 the Tennessee Titans beat the Kansas City Chiefs for their first playoff win in 14 years.
Court Vision
Former point guard DORIS BURKE uses her hoops knowledge— and a tireless work ethic—to be one of the best NBA analysts.
embiid, indiid
after two years in which he contemplated quitting as he battled injuries and nursed shirley temples, joel embiid is finally in the 76ers’ lineup — and out to validate “the process.”
Should Franchises Ever Relocate?
ON JANUARY 12, the San Diego Chargers announced that they were relocating to Los Angeles.
Get Your Head In The Game
In sports you train your body to be in tip-top shape. But what about your mind? Meet Graham Betchart, who is on a quest to expand mental conditioning throughout athletics.
Island Livin
A cornerback must have confidence and control to shut down opposing receiver's in today's pass-happy NFL
late breakout
in his 12th year in pro football, bills linebacker lorenzo alexander has proved what his teammates have always known: this guy can play.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Team :Alabama Crimson Tide ,Position: Defensive Back, Spotlight :After winning a second national title at Alabama, this serious (and seriously talented) go-getter will pursue success at the game’s top level.